Jeremy Hunt reappointed as health secretary

Jeremy Hunt has kept his position as Secretary of State for Health in prime minister Theresa May’s reshuffled cabinet.

The announcement comes as the Conservative party strive to form a majority government in the wake of last week’s snap general election, which resulted in a hung parliament.

Hunt, MP for Surrey South West, has held the position since 2012, during which time he has faced criticism and controversy, particularly over his handling of the junior doctors working contract and strikes and plans for a seven-day NHS.

But Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents health organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said the move “will provide continuity at a difficult and uncertain time for the country in general and for the NHS in particular.”

However, Hunt will be have to appoint a new team of health ministers as primary care minister David Mowat and public health minister Nicola Blackwood lost their MP seats in the election.